Sunday, September 23, 2018

Bill Crawford: What Political Happenings Will Matter Come Election Time?

Mississippi politics will be a happening thing through the next two Novembers.


Senate candidate Chris McDaniel didn’t seem to help himself on his national Morning Joe appearance when he said “I’m gonna ask them after 100 years, after 100 years of relying on big government to save you, where are you today? After 100 years of begging for federal government scraps, where are you today? We’ve been dead last for 100 years.” This was in response to a question about how he could convince black voters not to fear him. Gov. Phil Bryant condemned McDaniel’s “characterization of African-Americans as beggars. This does not reflect the beliefs of the Mississippi Republican Party or the average Mississippian.”

Sid Salter called McDaniel’s comment “stunning – even for him.” And the Morning Joe audience in Oxford booed it. But McDaniel’s disparaging sentiment is no stranger across the length and breadth of Mississippi. Will this be a big thing or a little thing come November?

Democratic candidates Mike Espy and David Baria also appeared on Morning Joe. But Republican Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith did not. It appears both will also dodge appearances in statewide televised debates. Will this cagey behavior become a big thing or a little thing by November?



If prognosticators are right, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Espy and former Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Hyde-Smith will face each other in a late November run-off in. In that scenario Mississippi agriculture may become a really big thing if farmers side with one ally over the other.

President Trump’s growing trade war with China and resulting tariffs on Mississippi ag exports to China, particularly soybeans, have already become worrisome things to farmers. To ward off McDaniel and get Trump’s endorsement, Hyde-Smith is 110% behind everything Trump, including his tariffs. The general GOP line is that Trump will cut a great deal and everything will work out. That may be less likely now that Trump has doubled down on tariffs to force China President Xi Jinping to accept a deal. However, Xi Jinping will not kowtow to Trump. Losing face like that would jeopardize his newly won “president for life” status. So, will Trump’s trade war with China be a big thing or little thing in November? Espy’s chances may hinge on the answer.

Attorney General Jim Hood surely didn’t get a boost to his gubernatorial aspirations when his prosecutors failed for the third time in two years to convict Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith of a crime. Will this be a big thing or a little thing for black voters in Hinds County next year if Hood is on the ballot for governor?

Then there is Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and the controversial $2 million frontage road project MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath said was to be built only because of political pressure from Reeves' office. The now-in-limbo road would primarily serve the subdivision in which Reeves lives. Reeves said he knew nothing and did nothing. Hood announced his office is investigating. Will this be a little thing or big thing for either in next year's governor's race?

Some happenings may seem little, some big. But voters get to decide which, thereby determining if they are helpful or hurtful to our ambitious politicians.


Crawford is a syndicate columnist from Meridian.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am going to get $1.68 a bushel for my soybeans and 1cent for my corn from the tariff bailout. On a total of 1500 arces I stand to lose roughly $50k this year. Who do you think I should vote for Senator?

Anonymous said...

Vote for Espy. He's the only one who can guarantee you that EBT cards will still be around for five more years. None of the candidates, however, can make your dream of a new Chevy pickup become a reality in February.

Anonymous said...

12:13, Why not think about what is best for your country instead of thinking only about yourself? You may have some hard times temporarily but the U.S. and the people will come out much better in the end. Even you.

Anonymous said...

12:13 PM I will be voting for Mike Espy. Strange as it may sound my second choice would be Chris McDaniel. Mississippi needs an independent Senator like we had with Thad Cochran. Cindy Hyde-Smith is NOT representing the interests of farmers or anyone else she is just 100% for what Trump says to do with no consideration what effect it has on people in this state.

Anonymous said...

Just wait until you have to buy that $100 bike that now cost $130.

Anonymous said...

12:13, what's the matter? You can't farm for a loss anymore and get your FmHA loans - which Espy got written off for you while in Congress and as Sec? Or your ASCS payments for not growing which Espy bought your votes, err, I'm sorry, bought your new trucks and mortgage payments with for years?

The issue is not today's price, with or without tarrifs, for your crops, or the peanuts in GA or the wheat and corn in the midwest. Its what is the economy of farming and all other endeavors are doing today and will be doing in the future.

The subsidizing of your crops over the years is what leads up to the overseas tarrifs on the crops. You didn't mind all those years of subsidy, or free loans (while I'll bet you decried those receiving food stamps, or getting the student loans forgiven, or their free cell phones.) Yes, agriculture has been so highly subsidized that there should be no surprise that China pops on their tarrifs while we put them on products they have been subsidizing. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

If you want Espy, because you want to protect your soybean field, you had better think about all the other great benefits that Majority Leader Schumer will 'give' you.

Anonymous said...

6:43...Tell us where to get more information on forgiven student loans. Please.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi needs an independent Senator like we had with Thad Cochran.

Funny that you seriously wrote that and absolutely hilarious that you remotely believe it. You must freak in anticipation of Salter's and Crawford's columns each week.

Anonymous said...

I'd just like a Senator that does due diligence on issues and doesn't walk in goose step with party hacks or their moneybags.


I want a Senator who thinks of the good of the Country first, the State second. He and his party should be dead bottom priorities and even then to think how to improve his/her/the party's performance and success in creating and implementing laws and policy.

I'd like one of the parties to stop telling me why the lies, unethical behaviors, and corruption by other parties' candidates are worse than the lies, unethical behaviors and corruption of their parties' candidates.

I don't want the choice to be the fire or the frying pan but the recipe for what we need to cook.

I'd like to hear specific ideas for problems and for reform and deregulation to be thoughtful and specific and not a broad sweep that legalizes corruption and stealing and gouging and advantage special interests at the expense of the rest of us.

I want candidates who will reduce problems, not make them worse by giving no thought to implementation or why some laws and regulations were created in the first place.


And, unlike 7:54 am, I read what all views are as I think I can make my own after informing myself as best I can. Those of you who don't have given over your duty as a citizen to someone else or a party have chosen to be deliberately ignorant and naïve.


And, for those of you who are partisan loyalists or loyal to a candidate, all you do in hurling your insults and inflammatory rhetoric is convince me you are ill informed and overly emotional. If you can't specifically point to actual actions by the candidate that had beneficial results and were carelessly implemented as to create a worse set of problems. I pity public loyalists if you can't defend your positions on issues and gullibly fall for party propaganda. I lose respect for those who attack others, are angry and hateful. And, I think those who lie for partisan purpose and know they are lying are little better than traitors.

In short, I want competence, honor and clear priorities, I can hear and see.

The rest is just noise to try to get the "base" extremists out to vote. And, I hate to break the news to you idiots, each party has the same number of die hards and it's those of us who are loyal to the USA more than to a party whose vote you need.

You are either preaching to your choir or you are alienating more people than you persuade. It's WHY only 11% of Americans approve of Congress and WHY more and more Americans are identifying as Independents.















Anonymous said...

754 am I read Salter and Crawford not because I am a fan of either but to consider the issues they raise and test the validity of my positions.

Unlike you, I believe it's possible that I've overlooked a flaw in my positions and I don't believe ANY human commentator is perfect or that anyone has perfect judgement on every issue all the time.

I also understand that my self interests are not the same as ever other American's.I even know that what is good for me could not only be not good for others, but destructive to our Nation as a whole.


Clearly, you are so insecure, you can only tolerate the opinions and ideas of those who reinforce what you want to believe.

Sho Nuff said...

@11:37AM, such a clear, and concise post. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

When a group of people are given the right to make laws that all have to obey except the ones who make the law we have a problem. Democrats or republicans, they are all politicians. When we decide the politicians have to obey the laws they make for the common people we might see a change. When the benefits for politicians are equal to the benefits of the people who elected then we might see fewer crooks.

We have given politicians too much power. They no longer work for the people. The people work for them. Want to have better quality politicians? Demand better quality politicians and stop electing crooks just because they say they belong to the same party as you do.

Anonymous said...

I'd just like a Senator

I want a Senator who thinks

I'd like one of the parties to stop telling me why

I don't want the choice to be

I'd like to hear specific ideas

I want candidates who will

I read what all views are

Those of you who don't have given over

And, for those of you who are

you are ill

If you can't specifically point

I pity public loyalists if you can't

I lose respect for those

I think those who lie

I want

I can hear and see.

The rest is just noise

I hate to break the news to you idiots

Hurry Back - I'm Confused said...

11:46 - Please come back just long enough to tell us how reading Salter allows you to 'test the validity of your positions'. Do you feel that your position is more valid if you agree with Salter or if you disagree with him?



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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